Head lamp mounting



Aug. 26, 1941. FALGE 2,253,616

HEAD LAMP MOUNTING (BULB MOUNTING) Filed July 2'7, 1939 Zhwentor yaw 12 9'2 025 Patented Aug. 26, 1941 HEAD LAMP MOUNTING (BULB MOUNTING) Robert N. Falge, Anderson, Ind., asslgnor to General Motors Corporation, Detroit, Mich., a corporation of Delaware Application July 27, 1939, Serial No. acacia 7 Claims. (01. 176-34) This invention'has to do with so-calied package lamps, that is, lamps consisting of a. reflector, lens and light source, the connection between the reflector and lens being sealed and the light source being sealed within the reflector so that the whole becomes a unit package in which the reflector is protected from the air and remains untarnished throughout the life of the lamp. The particular kind of package lamp to which this invention relates is one in which the light source is in the form of a conventional incandescent lamp bulb and the present invention has to do with certain improvements in such package lamps.

One of these improvements consists in a method and means for securing the bulb within the reflector. This means preferably consists in the broken away showing a method of making the connection shown in Figure 4.

The package lamp consists of reflector I0, lens- I2 and incandescent lamp bulb l4 comprising the usual filament l and metal base 16. In

I the construction shown in Figures 1 and 4 the provision of an aperture in the reflector within which the bulb may be universally adjusted together with means for securing and sealing the bulb in place when properly adjusted in the aper- 'ture.

Another improvement consists in the provision of indexing lugs on the reflector to insure its being properly positioned in the lamp support.

Another improvement consists in simplification of the means for connecting the reflector to the lens.

Details of the improvements are set forth'in the accompanying specification and the novel features are pointed out in the accompanying claims.

In the drawing:

Figure 1 is a section through the improved package lamp showing a way in which it may be mounted for service as an automobile headlamp.

Figure 2 is a fragmentary rear view of the.

package lamp. t

Figure 3 is a section on line 3-3 of Figure 2. Figure 4 is a section through the connection between the reflector and bulb of the package unit.

Figure 5 is a section on line 5-5 of Figure 2.

Figure 6 is a view showing a section through the package lamp on line 6-6 of Figure 2 together with the cooperating parts of the mounting shown in Figure 1.

Figure 7 is a fragmentary radial section showing a modified construction.

Figure 8 is a section corresponding to Figure 4 showing a modification of the lamp bulb mounting gure 9 is-a fragmentary plan view with parts reflector i0 is provided with an aperture defined by a rounded edge l8 terminatingin an axially extending flange 20. In this aperture the metal base ii of the bulb I4 is an easy fit so as to permit the bulb to be moved axially and adjusted universally so as to locate the filament IS in the desired position with respect to the focus of the reflector. Before the bulb is properly positioned a ring of solder 22 is placed about the base i6 and within the flange 20 as shown in Figure 9 and electrodes 24 are pressed against the opposite sides of the flange 20. When current is passed through the electrodes 24 the reflector flange becomes hot, causing the solder to melt and fuse 0r bond to the reflector and to the bulb base, forming a good air tight seal between them.

In Figure 8 there is shown a modified bulb mounting. Here 26 indicates a metal sleevehaving its outer end provided with bayonet slot 28 to receive a suitable connector for supplying current to the bulb. The other end of the sleeve is secured to the bulb base l8 by solder as indicated at 30. This end of the sleeve 26 is belied out as at 32 so as to be an easy flt within the flanged opening 34 in the reflector l0. With this construction thevbulb is adjusted back and forth, up and down, and from side to side until the filament is properly located with respect to the focus of the reflector and then the bulb is secured to the reflector by solder, indicated at 36.

In Figures 1 to 6 the reflector I0 is shown secured to the lens l2 by means of ring 38 having a thin outer flange 40 which is clinched over the flange on the lens as best shown in Figure 3.

The ring is preferably made by die-casting but may be produced by stamping or by any other desired method. To prevent rotation of the reflector with respect to the ring 38, the ring is preferably provided with a socket 42 shown in Figures 2 and 5 in which is received a tang bent down from the outer edge of the reflector.

To prevent rotation of the lens with respect to the ring 38, the lens is provided with a lug 46 shown at the bottom of Figure 1. which extends into a close-fitting notch. provided in the flange of the ring.

The ring 38 is preferably provided with stepped lugs 50 unequally spaced about the periphery of the unit. As shown in Figure 6 the stepped portions 52 rest on annular seat 54 formed on stamping 56 which serves as the ball of a ball and socket mounting for the package lamp. The projections 58 of the stepped lugs extend through similarly spaced apertures 60 formed in the seat 54. Rotation of the package lamp with respect to the stamping 56 is thus prevented. The unequal spacing of lugs and apertures insures that the unit will always be mounted the same way.

A gasket 39 is preferably interposed between lens l2 and the flange of reflector H) which rests on ring 38 to make the package unit substantially air .tight.

The mounting for the package lamp shown in Figures 1 and 6 is the subject of copending application for patent filed in the names of Howard C. Mead and Robert D. Winkelmeyer, S. N..286,'- 820, under date of July 27, 1939. For the present purpose it will suffice to explain that the package lamp is held in the stamping 56 by means of clamping ring 63 which is secured to the stamping by suitable fastening devices such as shown at 41. The stamping 56 is held to seat 65 of stamping 61 by means of adjusting screws, one of which is shown at 69, and springs as at H. The

adjusting screws 69 permit tilting of the package lamp to give the desired aim. The stamping 61 is suitably secured in the lamp housing shown at 10 or in any suitable aperture in the automobile body.

12 represents a bezel or finish ring secured to the lamp housing or other support 10 by means of tongue I4 which hooks into an-opening in the top of the lamp body and bolt 16 which secures the bottom of the bezel to the lamp body. A rubber Washer 18 connected to the bezel 12 has sealing engagement with the clamping ring 63.

In Figure 7 there is shown a modification of the connection between reflector I and the lens I2. Here the reflector is provided with a radial flange 80 on which is seated gasket 82 and on the gasket rests the flange 84 of the lens. Flange 80 is provided with a radial continuation 86, the outer end of which is clinched over at 88 to secure the lens to the reflector. 90 indicates a tang bent out of the flange 80 of the reflector. A plurality of such tangs are provided, unequally spaced about the periphery of the package lamp as in the case of the lugs 50 of Figure 2. These tangs serve the same purpose as the lugs in preventing rotation of the package lamp in its mounting.

I claim:

1. In a lamp, the combination of a metal reflector, a light source sealed in the reflector, a

said radial flange outwardly of said gasket so as not to break the seal.

'3. In a lamp, the combination of a metal reflector'having an aperture therein for receiving ,a lamp bulb, the edges of said aperture .curving outwardly and terminating in an annular, axially extending flange at least 'a portion of which is of larger diameter than the aperture, a lamp-bulb having a light source therein and having a base of such size as to have a sliding and rocking flt in the aperture so as to permit universal as well as longitudinal a djustment of the bulb in the reflector, said bulb being positioned in the reflector with its base in the aperture and its source in predetermined position adjacent the focus of the reflector, sealing means occupying the space between the said flange and the base,

securing the bulb to the reflector and sealing the joint between them, a lens over the reflector and means for sealing .the lens to the reflector, whereby the lamp is rendered impervious to dust and moisture.

4. In a lamp, the combination of a metal reflector having an aperture therein for receiving a lamp bulb, the edges of said aperture curving outwardly and terminating in an annular, axially extending flange at least a portion of which is of radial flange on the reflector, a lens seated radial flange on the reflector, a lens seated against said flange, a gasket between the radial flange and the lens forming a seal therebetween, an axial flange connected to the radial flange and extending outwardly over the edge of the lens, an inwardly extending radial flange formed over .the edge of the lens to hold the lens to the reflector, and a locating tongue pressed out from larger diameter than the aperture, a lamp bulb having a light source therein and having a base of such size as to have a sliding and rocking fit in the aperture so as to permit universal as well as longitudinal adjustment of the bulb in the reflector, said bulb being positioned in thereflector with its base in .the aperture and its source in predetermined position adjacent the focus of the reflector, sealing -means occupying the space between the said flange and the base, securing the bulb to the, reflector and sealing the joint between them, a lens over the reflector, a gasket interposed between the lens and reflector and means including a flange formed over the edge of the lens for securing the lens to the reflector, whereby the lamp is rendered impervious to dust and moisture.

5. In a lamp, the combination of a metal refllejctorhaving an aperture therein for receiving a'ilamp bulb, the edges of said aperture curving o twardly and terminating in an annular, axially extending flange at least a portion of which is of larger diameter than the aperture, a lamp bulb having a light source therein and having a base of such size as to have a sliding and rocking flt in the aperture so as to permit universal as well the lens for securing and sealing the lens to the reflector, and a locating lug pressed out from a portion of said reflector lying outwardly of the innler edge of said gasket so as not to break the sea 6. In a lamp, the combination of a metal reflector having an aperture therein for receiving the base of a lamp bulb, the metal around the aperture being curved in an axial direction so as to form an axially extending flange which together with the base of the bulb forms a pocket to receive sealing material, a lamp bulb having a light source therein and having a base of such size as to have a sliding and rocking lit in the aperture so as to permit universal as well as longitudinal adjustment of the bulb in the refiector, said bulb being positioned in the reflector with its base in the aperture and its source in predetermined position adjacent the focus of the reflector, sealing means occupying the space between the said flange and the base, securing the bulb to the reflector and sealing the Joint between them, a lens over the reflector and means for sealing the lens to the reflector, whereby the lamp is rendered impervious to dust and moisture.

7. In a lamp, the combination of a metal reflector having an aperture therein for receiving the base of a lamp bulb, the metal around the aperture being curved in an axial direction so as to form an axially extending flange which together with the base of the bulb forms a pocket to receive sealing material, a lamp bulb having a light source therein and having a base'of such siz as to have a sliding and rocking fit in the aperture so as to permit universal as well as longitudinal adjustment of the bulb in the reflector, said bulb being positioned in the reflector with its base in the aperture and its source in predetermined position adjacent the focus of the flector, sealing means occupying the space between the said flange and the base, securing the bulb to the reflector and sealing the Joint between them, a lens over the reflector, a gasket interposed between the lens and reflector, said reflector having its edge formed over the edge of the lens for securing and sealing the lens to the'reflector, and a locating lug secured to the portion of' the reflector engaging the gasket but outwardly of the inner edge thereof so 'as to preserve the seal, whereby the lamp is rendered impervious to dust and moisture.

ROBERT N. FALGE.

CERTIFICATE OF CORRECTION Patent No. 2,255,616. August 26, 19m.

I ROBERT N. FALGE.

It is hereby certified that error appears in the printed specification of the ebove numbered intent requiring corr'ectionas follows Page 5; second column, 'line 8, claim'?, for "flector" read --.refl-ector-; and that the said Letters Patent should be read with this correction therein that the same may conform to the record of the case in the Patent vOffice.

Signed and sealed this 114th day of October, A. D. l9hl;

Henry Van Arsdale (Seal) Acting, Commissioner of Patents. 

